"An absorbing novel . . . reminds us of the complexity of the web
woven by those threads of faith, nationality, politics and
history."--New York Times Book Review
"Aboulela has written a book for grown-ups... that speaks more
forcefully than a thousand opinion pieces...she has done more than
breathe life into legend." --San Francisco Chronicle
From the first ever winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing, Leila
Aboulela, The Kindness of Enemies is a powerful historical journey
across time and continents and a riveting epic of love, betrayal, and
war. It's 2010 and Natasha, a half-Russian, half-Sudanese professor of
history, is researching the life of Imam Shamil, the nineteenth century
Muslim leader who led the anti-Russian resistance in the Caucasian War.
When Natasha discovers her star student, Osama (Oz), is not only
descended from the warrior but also possesses Shamil's legendary sword,
the Imam's story comes vividly to life. But when Oz is suddenly arrested
at his home one morning, Natasha realizes that everything she values
stands in jeopardy. Told with Aboulela's inimitable elegance, The
Kindness of Enemies is both an engrossing story of a provocative period
in history and an important examination of what it is to be a Muslim in
a post-9/11 world.
"A rich, multilayered story, a whole syllabus of compelling topics. As
a novelist, Aboulela moves confidently between dramatizing urgent,
contemporary issues and providing her audience with sufficient
background to follow these discussions about the changing meaning of
jihad, the history of Sufism and the racial politics of the war on
terror."--Washington Post
"Riveting . . . [this novel] hums in hushed and meditative tones
through prisoners of war in historic and contemporary fantasy rooted in
reality."--Los Angeles Times
